All root chords are described starting with the lowest note and ascending in pitch. For instance, a chord described as "r, 3, 5" contains the root, a major third above the root and a perfect fifth above the root. If this chord were built on Bb (with Bb as the root) it would contain the notes Bb (root) D (major third) F (a perfect fifth).

Compound Intervals

Compound intervals are intervals which are greater than the octave. Some people have also described it as an octave plus a simple interval.

NOTE: This isn't the complete list of compound intervals, but only those that are commonly used in Jazz chords.